Export Fodder

Export Fodder Advisory Panel

James Kellaway (Chair)

Oz Group Co-Op

James has worked across Australia’s agricultural sector for over 35 years, within the sheep, beef, poultry, fruit and vegetable industries. His experience spans export market access and development, strategic management, research, development and extension (RD&E), government relations and marketing. James has a rural and farming background, growing up in Dorrigo, NSW, and a keen interest in fodder production. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Agriculture) and a MBA, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and the Governance Institute of Australia. As Chair of the Export Fodder Advisory Panel James hopes to lean on his experience and contribute to advancing productivity in the Export Fodder industry, maximising return on investment for levy payers and creating growth locally for healthy rural communities.

Ben Adams

Gilmac Pty Ltd

Ben is a qualified farm manager from Dublin, Ireland with international farming experience across Australia, Saudi Arabia, Ukraine, Crimea, and Ireland in both dairy and broad acre farming operations. He joined Gilmac initially in 2004 as the site manager of the New Norcia site in WA, responsible for managing hay export facility operations, feed mill operation and overseeing the development of a new site and the commissioning of a new hay plant. Ben’s career progression now sees him managing the operations of Gilmac’s six export hay facilities in three states and the pellet mill manufacturing facility in Western Australia.

Linda Xu

Balco Australia Pty Ltd

Linda has more than 20 years of experience across global technology companies and Australia’s agricultural export industry. Before joining the agricultural sector, she spent over 15 years with IBM, Intel and Qualcomm in business operations and business development management roles, developing expertise in strategic planning, operational excellence and international business. As Logistics and Order Fulfilment at Balco Australia, Linda leads the company’s end-to-end export supply chain, including logistics strategy, customer order fulfilment, export compliance and international shipping, helping deliver reliable and efficient supply to customers across global markets. She also serves as Company Secretary, supporting corporate governance and strategic planning. Linda holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from Renmin University in China. She is passionate about strengthening Australia’s export fodder industry through innovation, international collaboration, and supply chain excellence.

Lachlan Mickan

General Manager – Procurement at JT Johnson & Sons

Lachlan is responsible for procurement operations across SA, VIC and WA, working closely with growers, processors and customers to deliver high-quality export fodder to international markets. With more than 20 years of experience in agriculture, Lachlan has a strong background in agronomy, hay and straw procurement, quality assurance, logistics and supply chain management. He is passionate about building strong relationships with growers, improving industry practices and driving innovation that enhances the quality, consistency and sustainability of Australia’s export fodder industry. Lachlan resides on a mixed farming enterprise in SA, giving him a practical understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by Australian producers. He is committed to supporting research and development that strengthens the long-term competitiveness of the export fodder sector and delivers value throughout the supply chain.

Georgina Troup

Director, Currahee Farms; Research Scientist and Program Leader, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD)

Georgina is an experienced agricultural professional with more than 15 years’ involvement in the Australian export fodder and grains industries. She brings a practical understanding of industry challenges and opportunities, with a focus on market-led research and sustainable growth. Georgina is a Director of Currahee Farms in WA’s Central Wheatbelt, producing high-quality grain and hay for domestic and export markets. She is also a Research Scientist and Program Leader with the DPIRD, where she leads national and regional RD&E initiatives, including the National Hay Agronomy Project and oat industry programs. Georgina has worked across the value chain and served on industry boards and advisory committees, contributing to strategic decision-making and industry advocacy.

Gavin Hill

Export fodder grower – Observer

Gavin has extensive experience in the Australian export fodder industry and operates a family farming enterprise at Holt Rock in WA’s south-eastern wheatbelt. Since returning from Marcus Oldham College in 2003, he has helped grow the farm’s export oaten hay business to become a significant enterprise focused on producing high-quality hay for international markets. Gavin has a strong interest in agronomy, machinery innovation and improving the efficiency and resilience of hay production systems. His extensive hands-on experience as a grower provides valuable insight into the practical challenges and opportunities facing the export fodder industry.